The Gardens

The inspiration for the garden, which will be an integral part and key feature of the Principal Riverwalk, came from Janis and John Ruan III, and was an extension of their previous leadership in bringing landscaping and flowers to public spaces along Fleur Drive and in downtown Des Moines.

The garden is a place of special recognition for bothDr. Borlaug and John Ruan Sr., whose statues are installed in the garden for all to see. It was designed by the nationally recognized landscape architect Doug Hoerr, with strong input and guidance from Janis Ruan.

The statue of Dr. Borlaug was created by John Collier, a noted American sculptor from Dallas, Texas, who has notable works on display at Ground Zero. Collier has depicted Borlaug isnpecting wheat in his work clothes, facing to the northeast toward his birthplace in Howard County, Iowa.

John Ruan Sr.’s statue was created by Chas Fagan of North Carolina, whose statues of President Ronald Reagan are in the U.S. Capitol and at the U.S. Embassy in London. Ruan’s statue is placed with downtown Des Moines directly behind him, reflecting his personal leadership in transforming and revitalizing the commercial center of the city.

Of special note is a large fountain that has been constructed in the heart of the garden, along with an expansive stone map of the world.

The World Food Prize was conceived by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1986, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world. Laureates have been recognized from Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Cuba, Denmark, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Israel, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United Nations and the United States. In 1990, Des Moines businessman and philanthropist John Ruan assumed sponsorship of The Prize and established The World Food Prize Foundation, located in Des Moines, Iowa. The World Food Prize also annually hosts the Borlaug Dialogue international symposium to bring the world's foremost experts together to discuss cutting-edge issues in food security, and multiple youth education programs to inspire the next generation to study and work in fields related to global agriculture.